tnefparse

1.4.0 verified Mon Apr 27 auth: no python

tnefparse is a pure Python library for decoding TNEF (Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format) files, commonly used by Microsoft Outlook to encapsulate rich email content. Version 1.4.0 is the latest release, with no external dependencies. It has a low release cadence.

pip install tnefparse

Common errors

error TypeError: a bytes-like object is required, not 'str' ↓

cause Passing a string instead of bytes to TNEF constructor.

fix

Open the file in binary mode: with open('winmail.dat', 'rb') as f: data = f.read()

error AttributeError: 'TNEF' object has no attribute 'files' ↓

cause Using deprecated 'files' attribute in newer versions (>=1.3).

fix

Use 'tnef.attachments' instead of 'tnef.files'.

Warnings

gotcha Attachment names may include leading slash from Unix path; strip it before saving to avoid writing to root. ↓

fix Use os.path.basename() or att.name.lstrip('/') when writing files.

deprecated The old method 'tnef.files' was deprecated in favor of 'tnef.attachments'. ↓

fix Use tnef.attachments instead of tnef.files.

gotcha TNEF data passed to constructor must be bytes, not string. Decoding first will cause TypeError. ↓

fix Open file in binary mode ('rb') or call .encode() on string.

Imports

TNEF
wrong
```
import tnefparse.TNEF
```
correct
```
from tnefparse import TNEF
```
TNEF is the main class, not a module.
TNEFAttachment
```
from tnefparse import TNEFAttachment
```
Attachment class for accessing file data.

Quickstart

Open a TNEF file (often winmail.dat) and list attachments.

import os
from tnefparse import TNEF

with open('winmail.dat', 'rb') as f:
    data = f.read()
tnef = TNEF(data)
print('Attachments:', len(tnef.attachments))
for att in tnef.attachments:
    print('Name:', att.name)
    if att.name:
        with open(att.name.lstrip('/'), 'wb') as out:
            out.write(att.data)